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Council denies downzoning request in Forest Hills neighborhood, citing character and width analysis
Summary
Council denied a request to rezone 1715 West Overpar Drive from RS-100 to RS-50 after staff analysis showed most lots in the study area exceed 70 feet; neighbors raised flooding and character concerns and council found the applicant did not meet its burden of proof.
Tampa City Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning request at 1715 West Overpar Drive that would have converted an RS-100 lot to RS-50 to create two single-family parcels. Planning staff presented a block‑frontage analysis showing that 88% of lots in the study area exceed 70 feet in width; staff concluded the requested downzone was inconsistent with the surrounding development pattern.
Neighbors and the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association urged the council to preserve the existing lot pattern and green, park-like character. Bev Keeney, speaking for neighbors, raised concerns about flooding, reduced permeable area and the visual impact of placing two narrower houses on a lot designed for a single-family home. Councilwoman Hertek moved to deny the rezoning “due to the failure of the applicant to meet its burden of proof” and adopted staff findings; the motion carried unanimously.
